By Joanna Rose Aglibot
A rough-toothed female dolphin that was beached in the shallow waters of Dasol, Pangasinan last month will be rehabilitated at the facility of Ocean Adventure, a theme park inside the Subic Bay Freeport, with the help of experts.
The dolphin, which was named “Marshy,” was stranded on May 22 in Dasol’s Barangay Hermosa and was rescued by local fishermen and police.
Personnel from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAF) also responded to the area to provide the animal with immediate care.
According to BFAR, the marine mammal had lost its buoyancy and had no balance. She also had bruises around her body as well as a healing wound on her abdomen.
The test conducted on June 5 revealed that Marshy does not have echolocation (or the ability to navigate underwater and identify prey) and is likely a victim of a dynamite blast associated with dynamite fishing.
Marshy will be transported to the marine mammal rehabilitation facility at Ocean Adventure, where she will continue to receive around-the-clock care from their rehabilitation team.
Robert Gonzaga, president and chief executive officer of Subic Bay Marine Exploratorium Inc., the parent company of Ocean Adventure, said: ”We have consistently demonstrated our unwavering commitment to the rescue and preservation of animals, providing them with the necessary treatment, care, and assistance.
Gonzaga said one notable successful rescue and rehabilitation of a stranded marine mammal was that of a young female pygmy killer whale named “Maxene” stranded in San Juan, Ilocos Sur, on December 5, 2022.
This animal was also a victim of a dynamite blast. Maxene was also initially rehabilitated by the BFAR and Philippine Marine Mammal Stranding Network volunteers, then subsequently relocated to the Ocean Adventure to continue her rehabilitation.
Volunteers from different veterinary schools and local residents of Olongapo and Subic Bay Freeport were also involved in the rehabilitation efforts.
Veterinarian Dr. Leo Suarez said “Maxene” was treated for a pulmonary infection and remained in critical care for several months.
Just like Marshy, Maxene is also most likely a victim of dynamite fishing and is no longer echolocating.
Dolphins tend to stop echolocating when they lose their hearing. Because of her condition, BFAR RFO1 requested that Ocean Adventure continue Maxene’s rehabilitation in Subic Bay and provide her with long-term care if she recovers. FREEPORT INSIDER
